http://chaipilgrimage.com A Soul-Nourishing Tea Adventure through Nepal, India & Beyond Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:10:15 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Exploring the subcontinent on a shoestring takes a great deal of open-mindedness, adaptability and stamina. It puts you on the level of the local folks, giving you the opportunity to connect with the culture in a way that staying at five-stars does not. On the down side, unless ... http://chaipilgrimage.com/2009/01/04/what-to-bring-to-india/ A wallah is one who performs a specific task. A rickshaw wallah drives the rickshaw, a dhobi wallah washes clothes and chai wallahs, you guessed it, they make chai. Chai wallahs are everywhere in India. Everywhere. From busy urban street corners to hidden alleyways, at bus depots and railway platforms ... http://chaipilgrimage.com/2008/11/28/what-is-a-chai-wallah/ Over the years, I have to tried to emulate my Chai Guru's chai, but could never match it.  This recipe is my own humble rendition of my very first cup of chai.  (Click on Jenny's recipe card above to see larger or click here to download and print.) Enjoy. spicy goat ... http://chaipilgrimage.com/2008/11/11/chai-guru-chai-a-spicy-goat-milk-masala-chai/ My dear friend and teacher Hamid lovingly served me my first cup of masala chai 17 years ago. It was a moment I will never forget…sitting on the floor of his Chicago flat, the elevating aroma of incense mixed with spices, classical Indian rhythms vibrating through my being. Hamid emerged ... http://chaipilgrimage.com/2008/11/11/my-chai-guru/ Ganesh is the elephant-headed God in the Hindu tradition who is honored at the beginning of all ceremonies and endeavors. He opens the Way. We offer our love and gratitude to the One who blessed us with inspiration, guidance and protection, and continues to remove all obstacles on ... http://chaipilgrimage.com/2008/10/24/ganesha/ As we ascended the steep stone path to the hilltop Tashiding monastery, each step took us deeper into a palpable prayer. Thousands of colorful prayer flags stamped with Tibetan mantras released their blessings into the clear sky above our heads. The breeze playfully spun windmill-like prayer wheels, spiraling out ... http://chaipilgrimage.com/2008/10/04/tashiding-prayer-maker/ We had our first encounter with a garden spirit at the Makaibari estate’s tea tasting room. While sipping our prized first flush silver tip tea, we noticed something peculiar about a potted tea plant in the corner of the room. One of the tealeaves was walking down the branch. ... http://chaipilgrimage.com/2008/09/25/tea-deva/ Namasté is the essential phrase and gesture one must learn when traveling in Nepal and India. It is used as both a greeting and a farewell, but its meaning is much deeper than a simple “hello” or “goodbye.” Namasté is a Hindi word derived from Sanskrit, the sacred ... http://chaipilgrimage.com/2008/09/21/namaste/ In addition to stories from our India travels, our chai pilgrimage continues on at home in New Mexico. Saturday was the big Bhandara Festival at the Hanuman Temple here in Taos. It was Neem Karoli Baba's 35th Mahasamadhi anniversary. 108 Hanuman Chaleesas were sung from 4 am until late afternoon ... http://chaipilgrimage.com/2008/09/18/maharaj-jis-chai/ Chai from a clay cup – that raw, slightly bitter, textured taste of earth, mixed with gingery-sweet milk tea – is the taste of India. An Indian adventure would be incomplete without the experience of sipping chai at an open-air chai stall, and the gratifying, childlike pleasure that comes ... http://chaipilgrimage.com/2008/09/14/the-indian-clay-cup/